German economy unexpectedly shrinks in second quarter

(ANSA-AFP) - FRANKFURT, 30 LUG - The German economy unexpectedly shrank in the second quarter, preliminary data showed Tuesday, pouring cold water on hopes of a tentative recovery in Europe's largest economy. Output contracted slightly by 0. 1 percent compared with the previous three months, federal statistics office Destatis said, after expanding by 0.2 percent in the first quarter. The second-quarter data surprised analysts surveyed by FactSet who had forecast 0.1 percent growth. The April-to-June period noticeably saw a decline in investments in equipment and construction, Destatis said. (ANSA-AFP).